More NATO allies are sending soldiers to Greenland, and Spain is not ruling out joining them.

BarcelonaWhile the foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland were meeting with Marco Rubio and JD Vance in Copenhagen on Wednesday, the Danish defense minister announced an increase in military personnel on the Arctic island. Earlier in the week, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, He had already indicated that the intention was to strengthen their presence in the Arctic.not only with Danish personnel, but also from other European allies. The Danish Ministry of Defense has detailed that, together with several Arctic and European allies, they will "explore in the coming weeks how to implement an increased presence and exercise activity in the Arctic." So far, Sweden, Norway, Germany, and France have confirmed they will send troops to the Arctic island, and Spain stated this Thursday that it is not ruling it out.

"In the near future, there will be a greater military presence in and around Greenland, including aircraft, ships, and soldiers, among them those from NATO allies," the Danish Ministry of Defense announced in a statement on Wednesday. The objective is to train for operations in the unique conditions of the Arctic and "strengthen the Alliance's presence" in the region, "for the benefit of both European and transatlantic security," it added. In this way, Denmark is attempting to counter the argument that Theoretically, the White House wants to seize Greenland.The lack of security in the region and the fear that Russia and China will take advantage of it.

Last summer, the Danish armed forces already reinforced their presence and exercises in Greenland, with contributions from allied countries such as Germany, France, Sweden, and Norway. Among the exercises to be carried out this year are the protection of critical infrastructure, assistance to Greenlandic authorities, the reception of allied troops, the deployment of fighter jets in and around Greenland, and the execution of naval tasks.

Sweden, Norway, Germany, and France are sending troops

In statements made this Wednesday, Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen declined to specify which allies would participate, but said that representatives from "several" countries traveled to the island yesterday. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced that several officers from the Swedish Armed Forces would arrive in Greenland this Wednesday. "They are part of a group from several allied countries," he wrote to X on Wednesday, adding that "together, they will prepare the next steps within the framework of the Danish exercise Operation Arctic Endurance." The German Defense Ministry also confirmed in recent hours that the country will send a military contingent to Greenland starting this Thursday to explore, over two days, the conditions for a possible contribution to the region's security. Norway, which is not part of the European Union but is a member of NATO, has also decided to send personnel, according to local media reports. Late Wednesday, France also announced its participation in the mission.

A detachment of about fifteen French military personnel, specialists in high-altitude mountaineering, arrived in Greenland this Thursday. President Emmanuel Macron said that more land, air, and sea resources will be sent "in the coming days." He also announced that France will open a consulate in Greenland. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot specified that France will send representatives from all branches of its Armed Forces. Finland and the Netherlands also said they will participate in the exercises on the Arctic island.

Washington's reaction

The White House warned on Thursday that the deployment of European troops to Greenland will not affect Trump's intentions regarding the island. The US president has repeatedly stated that Greenland should belong to the US and has not ruled out taking it by force. "I don't believe that the troops in Europe will influence the president's decision-making process, nor his objective to acquire Greenland," said White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt at a press conference, where she also asserted that the meeting in Washington between the ministers of [unclear] was productive. Spain says it "would be an option"

This Thursday, Defense Minister Margarita Robles did not rule out Spain joining the European mission in Greenland. "Yes, it would be an option," she responded to journalists' questions about the possibility of "strengthening surveillance" in the area. Robles did, however, ask "not to jump to conclusions" and stated that "we will see how things develop throughout the day." "Meetings are taking place," she added. Later, however, she clarified her remarks: "The real problem is if, violating international law, [the U.S.] decides to retain sovereignty [over Greenland] [...] But let's not fool ourselves, there is no military competition with the United States. We cannot frame it as a mission," she said in an address at the Spain Investors Day (SID) forum, before foreign investors and companies. Núria Rius Montaner reports.